1999-2007 General QuestionsGeneral questions related to 1999-2007 Super Duty trucks. If it doesn't fit the other categories, post it here. Gas engine discussion that pertains to all models is allowed. Specific gas engine questions should use the Gas Engines forum.

I'm not sure about the current engines. But I know on the 6.9, and I'm pretty sure on the 7.3, they were explicit in the owner's manual about always jumping off the passenger side battery. I'm not sure why. I'll use the passenger side if I ever have to jump off my truck.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The real reason is the battery cable to left batt. is a
smaller gauge. Resulting in a bit of a voltage drop.

[/ QUOTE ]I thought the real reason was that the wire to the starter comes off the + terminal on the passenger side battery. Hence the shortest run of wire to the starter.

[/ QUOTE ]

Same difference. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]
What would be the advantage of a shorter distance? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]
Less voltage drop from series resistance &lt;lenght of wire being heated&gt;
Wire that is heated constitutes a series load which will show a voltage drop equal to the value of the resistance to the load placed on cable. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/phoney.gif[/img]
[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]

When my converter shorted internally and drained my battries [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img](in the outback of West Texas) I needed to run cables to both batteries to produce the current needed to crank the motor. Granted they were smaller cables and the batteries were DEAD not just low but one set to one battery would just not do the job. I now carry two sets. A huge thanks to the Texan with the ford diesel that came by and stopped to help and carried two sets. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Well, it ended up being the alternator. Now we're back on the road. The batteries were low enough that the stereo would go in and out and the abs light showed up. Lots of wierd things happen when the batteries get low!

That's no joke! If you think our trucks are bad when an alt and then battery goes though, try my 1988 bmw 750iL. All dash lights going crazy, and the engine thinks it's got half failed and only runs on 6-cyl.

Neither, jump starting can kill electronics. Not at the time of the jump start, but that is when the damage is done. Then a few years down the road the damaged trace on the pc board fails.
Electronics don't like voltage spikes and you get a hell of a voltage spike when you remove those jumper cables, beleive me.

[ QUOTE ]
Neither, jump starting can kill electronics. Not at the time of the jump start, but that is when the damage is done. Then a few years down the road the damaged trace on the pc board fails.
Electronics don't like voltage spikes and you get a hell of a voltage spike when you remove those jumper cables, beleive me.

Wayne B

[/ QUOTE ]

So how do you get a dead-in-the water 8000 lb truck off your driveway and to the shop besides towing it? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img] I agree that it's not the best alternative, but what else can be done? (I'm not being a needler, I'm actually really curious!) I always make sure the ventilation fans are on as I've heard that helps when jump starting.

Register Now

In order to be able to post messages on the Diesel Forum - TheDieselStop.com forums, you must first register.
Please enter your desired user name, your email address and other required details in the form below.

User Name:

Password

Please enter a password for your user account. Note that passwords are case-sensitive.

Password:

Confirm Password:

Email Address

Please enter a valid email address for yourself.

Email Address:

Security Question

*Required, this field is not shown to others.
"While balancing on a piece of wood, two inches by four inches known as a 2x4, john and his friend sally both spotted a dalmatian inside a truck with sirens, headed to put out a fire. State what the 2x4 is made of. "

Insurance

Please select your insurance company (Optional)

Log-in

User Name

Remember Me?

Password

Human Verification

In order to verify that you are a human and not a spam bot, please enter the answer into the following box below based on the instructions contained in the graphic.